This month is an introduction to Christian author Charles R. Swindoll. This author has written more than 20 books, has served as a pastor for 30 years, and was president of Dallas Theological Seminary in 1993.

HOPE AGAIN (subtitled "When Life Hurts and Dreams Fade") is a book based on 1 Peter. It is written to Christians that he describes as "strangers in the world" and "God's elect".

Swindoll reminds us that as Christians, our citizenship is also in heaven and that earth is really foreign soil.

Perhaps you have heard the old gospel song:

This world is not my home.
I'm just a passin' through.
My treasures are laid up
Somewhere beyond the blue.

We are citizens of the Kingdom of God, living in a pagan culture. We need to live in such a manner as to give those around us a true picture of what our homeland is like. Our behavior may determine whether people are attracted to that same homeland or repelled by it.

As Peter reminds us, "abstain from sinful desires which war against your soul. Live such good lives among the pagans that,...they may see your good deeds and glorify God..."